Evening Star Newspaper, February 8, 1894, Page 1

THE EVENING PUBLISHED DAILY EXC no. AT THE sTAn Brr Naa, Pennsylvania Aveaus, Cor. 11th Street, by The Evening Star Newspaper Company, & H. KAUFFM: , STAR. city carrion Es Sen ch Sa? mpar Quivtcrie Smxer St, y : Q c ngs gram. @ 00 per year motored af the Fost at Washington, D. C.. | eee The Famous Old Kearsarge Foun- dered at Sea. ADMIRAL STANTON’S FLAGSHIP A Vessel Dispatched to Succor the Castaways. OFFICERS AND CREW SAFE ‘The most famous ship of the naval ser- Vice—the old corvette Kearsarge—has gone to the bottom. The story of her ending was told to Secretary Herbert in a brief table message which he received this morn- tng from Lieut. Frederick Brainard, an bificer of the vessel, dated at Colon. Lieut. Brainard reached Colon this morning, and (mmediately sent the message to the Sec- fetary, in substance as follows: “Kearsarge sailed from Port au Prince, Hayti, January 30, for Bluefields, Nica- fagua. Was wrecked on Roncador reef February 2. Officers and crew safe.” Roncador reef is only a little over 200 iniles from the Mosquito coast of Central America. Between the coast and the reef lies Old Providence Island, only seventy- five or eighty miles to leeward of the reef. It is believed at the Navy Department that the officers and crew would be able to teach Old Providence without difficulty in tase they were in danger of their lives on the reef. It is believed that they would be fufe on the reef except in the event of tough wather. It is the impression also at the department that the Kearsarge has not fone to pieces and may not do so for some time, unless rough weather comes up. The tides and current about the reef are, how- wer, swift and dangerous. Immediately upon receipt of the news of the wreck the Navy Department sent a ca- bie dispatch to Lieut. Brainard at Colon ordering him to charter a steamer and pro- teed at once to the relief of the shipwreck- td crew. ‘The Roncador reef is well known to mar- mers In those waters as a dangerous im- pediment to navigation. Efforts have been fecently made \ secure the erection of a lighthouse on this point. Some time ago When Warner Miller and officers of the Nicaragua Canal Company were on their Way to Nicaragua they were wrecked on this same point. Foundered at Night. It is conjectured that the Kearsarge went aground on the reef at night and foundered. Lieut. Brainard seems to have got aboard & small boat and succeeded in getting to Colon in six days. The relief can reach the shipwrecked men in less time than that. Roncador bank is pear-shaped, seven miles long by two and one-half broad at the ications | Wor 84, No. 20,803. WRECKED ON A REEF Che Evening Star. —— SS === Am index to advertise ments will be found on Page 8. WASHINGTON, D. C., THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1894-TWELVE PAGES. TWO CENTS. | command; Lieut. C. T. Forse, executiv Lieut. C. H. Lyman, navigator; Lieut. B. T. Walling; Lieut. (J. G.) John Hood; En- sign F. R. Brainard; Ensign H. G. Gates; Ensign T. P. Magruder; naval cadets, L. 8. Thompson, T. S. Stitt, T. S. Borden, B. B. McCormick, W. Ball and D. Van H. Allen; passed assistant surgeon, Geo. P. Lumsden; assistant surgeon, H. W. Bar- num; paymaster, Jas. A. Ring; chief en- gineer, B. C. Gowing; Lieut. C. L. A. Ingate of the marine corps; pay clerk, Jonathan Brooks. Lieut. Hood is well known here. He mar- ried the daughter of Pay Director Caswell. His wife is now in this city visiting Pay Director Caswell on Connecticut avenue. She has been informed of the safety of her husband. Commander Heyerman’s Bad Luck. Like Admiral Stanton, Commander Hey- erman has had his misfortunes and was just about recovering from one when he met with the present one. His last trouble was in connection with the lighting of St. Mary's river, Mich., a few years ago. He lives at Detroit and was acting as inspector of lighthouses in that district, and with Col. Wm. Ludlow of the engineer corps, U. S. A., became involved in a controversy with the lighthouse board | over the plan of lighting St. Mary's river. The correspondence became spirited and well nigh insubordinate on the part of Col. Ludlow and Commander Heyerman, and they were both suspended from duty. Both failed in their efforts at restoration, al- though great influence was exerted to that end. Commander Heyerman was subse- quently assigned to inspection duty at New York and served there until about three months ago, when he was plaeed in com- mand of the Kearsarge. She made short cruises between home ports and assisted at the trial of several new warships, while in command of Commander Heyerman,prior to her departure from New York several | weeks ago, for San Domingo, where a rev- olution had started with an attempt to assassinate President Hippolyte. The trouble was short-lived, and was over without the necessity of interference on the part of the Kearsarge. She then cruised around the islands in the vicinity until joined at Port au Prince by Admiral Stanton. The scene of the wreckels about 259 miles from Coloa, and it will take the steamer City of Para a day ut least to get there. There is no anxiety at the Navy Department over the ssfety of the cast- aways. There is plenty of provisions in the wreck of the Kearsarge, and the ves- sel is thought to be high anil dry on the reef—in which case 't would also offer shelter. Old Providence Islani is only seventy-five miles from Roncador, and could be reached casily in small boats, and if any were missed the Kearsarge’s men could easily reach the main tine of Mos- quito coast. Tae Crew of the Kearsarge. ‘The following is a complete roster of the enlisted men on board the Kearsarge: Sam- uel E. Adonis, James S. Aitken, Robert J. Alford, Henry / derson, Olaf Anderson, Thos. Angus, Daniel Atkins, Herrman Baa- i southeast end and three and one-half miles der, Axel Baggeson, H. Bastian, Fred Bee- across at the middle. On the northwest ex- nok, Michael Brett, Harry Brodie, J. Burke, tremity there is a quay 600 yards long and | C. Burlingame, J. Burnie, A. Cabral, A. 800 yards broad of sand and blocks of | Cambridge, W. Carney, J. Clarke, A. Coffey, broken coral heaped into a wall about seven | F. Conary, B. Cook, D. Costabel, R. Cronin, feet above the sea. some bushes and three or four dwarf palm trees. Usually there is a fisherman's hut on this end. The City of Para to the Rescue. Later in the afternoon Secretary Herbert received another telegram from Lieut. Brainard at Colon, saying that the mail steamer City of Para was available for charter for the rescue of the wrecked men, and it is supposed at the Navy Department that she is already on her way to Roncador reef. Lieut. Brainard was authorized to charter the regular mail steamer and have her stop at the reef, or to use any other method of taking the men on the reef to a Place of safety without delay. Admiral Stanton Aboard. The Kearsarge was the flagship of the North Atlantic station, to the command of which Acting Rear Admiral Stanton was assigned a few short weeks ago. He joined the famous old ship at Port au Prince and hotsted his fag on her at that point. Or- ders awaited him there to proceed at once to Bluefield, Nicaragua, to protect American interests threatened by invasion of Nicara- Suan territory by an Honduran army. Admiral Stanton took no flag officers with him when he went to the Kearsarge, they having been left at Rio on the Newark when he was recalled from there. The vessel, as stated, sailed from Port au Prince January 80 and met her fate three days later. Admiral Stanton seems to be the victim of untoward circumstances, He was ordered to take command of the On the south end are | J. Dalzell, M. Davis, P. Decry, G. Debold, F. von Dohlern, J. Doran, H. Dorr, J.Drum, J. Duffee, J. Dugan, J. Edwards, S. Ed- wards, K. Egan, J. Ellis, P. Feeney, W. Fewer, E. Fiser, R. Fillen, C. Forster, J. Galion, E. Gatchell, J. Gerhardt, W. Geltz,. W. Gilchrist, H. Givens, P. Gallet, W. Gorman, J. Gragen, 8. Graham, W. Hall, J. Hallahan, A. Harju, W. Harrison, W. Harvey, P. lealey, J. Heil, V. Heineken, P. Heintz, G. Hermann, T. Holdish, G. Hughes, P. Jansen, C. Jack- son, E. Jackson, J. A. Johnson, W. John- son,C.Johnson, W.Jones,B.Jordan,i.ixelerer, R. Kessler, F. Kimberly, H. King, J.. Knight, L. Kreutziger, H. Christoffersen, R. Laigh, A. Lamont, 'F. Lawrence, J. Lewis, iE. Lightfoot, A. Tindell, J. Linnehan, Z. Lin- ton, A. Lombard, J. Lyons, P. Lyons, A. Malcolm, M. Maxwell, E. Mitchell, 8. 8. Morgensen, D. Moriarity, P. Morrison, J. Morse, F. Muray, A. Meyers, W. McCann, F. McChrystal, W. McGinty, D. McGon- agle, N. McKelvey, W. McPherson, M. Neilson, P. Nigske,C. Nolan, J. O'Neill, R. Orsen, H. Palmer, J. Pape, B. Pawer, B. Peebles, R. Phillips, C. Irvine, J. Quill, J. Rains, T. Reynolds, J. Riley, A. Robins, J. Rodgers, F. Ryan, J. Saunders, C. Smith, J. Smith, J. P. Smith, J. J. Smith, B. Staples, W. Steel, F. Summers, S. Summers, J. Sweeney, K. Svensson, K. Tanka, J. Te- jada, R. Thornton, A. Tiedemann, T. Tray- nor, H. Tonssaint, W. Twichings, T. War- burton, A. Webb, D. Wendell, W. West, J. Whalen, J. Whalley, E. White, J. Williams, H. Wirtz, A. Woodruff, T. Yamagurki, O. Yohari, N. Yoshitake, H. Young. The Vessel’s History. ‘The greatest day in the history of the Kearsarge was June 19, 1864, when she fought and conquered the confederate cruiser Alabama. The Kearsarge was built at the Ports- mouth navy yard, N. H., in 1861, and her machinery was constructed by Woodruff and Beach of Hartford, Conn. Lieut. Robert H. Woods of the naval war records office, in an article descriptive of the wreck- ed vessel, says: “She belonged to the rame class of ves- sels as the Oneida, Tuscarora and Wachu- sett. On June 4, 1861, she was ordered to be called the Kearsage, which was changed to Kearsarge June 15. The former spelling may account for the wrong pronunciation so often heard from old sailors, who speak of ‘when I was on the Kersag.’ The ves- sel’s name is from the Indian name of a mountain in New Hampshire, whose sum- mit is solid granite. The Kearsarge is a third-rate screw sloop of 1,081 tons, built of white oak; length, 201 feet 4 inches; beam, 33 feet 10 inches; depth, 16 fee! draught of water, with three months’ pro- visions and fully stowed, 13 feet 5 inches forward and 14 feet 3’ inches aft. Her maximum speed under the most favorable circumstances was 14 knots an hour, ordi- South Atlantic station, and had been there but a few days when he made the mistake of saluting the insurgent admiral, Melio, for which he was summarily detached and subsequently rebuked by the department for his “error of judgment.” Next he was placed in command of the North Atlantic squadron, and had not been on that duty a week when he suffered the loss of his flagship. His responsibility for the accident is not knowa, but the supposition is general that he had nothing whatever to do with it. The navigation of | & naval vessel rests entirely with her com- mander and his assistants, and the ad- miral never interferes in the matter. He directs the general movements of the flag- ship from place to place, but leaves the de- tails of routes and the management of the ship entirely to the commanding ovficer. Commander Heyerman’s Responsibil- ity. Therefore, it would appear as though Com- mander Heyerman will be held responsible for the loss of the vessel and on him will devolve the task of showing that the acci- dent was unavoidable. He will look to the officers of the deck at the time of the wreck for a complete explanation of the circum- stances. Exactly who was at fault will not be known here until fuller details have been received. One of the first things to be done is to have an official investigation to determine the responsibility for the wreck, and a court of inquiry will be immediately con-| vened for that purpose. The Officers of the Vessel. The officers of the Kearsarge are as follows: Commander O. F. Heyerman in nary speed, 8 to 11 knots. She was launch- ed September 11, 1861, and completed Janu- ary 18, 1862, at a total cost of $272,514.99. The first few weeks out the Kearsarge showed thet she possessed no distinguishing or superior qualities over her sister ships. At the end of the first three weeks’ sea voyage, having encountered scme very se- vere weather, her commander reported “that with her present weight of armament she is only adayjed to river and harbor de- fense. Her bulwarks and combings of hatches are so extremely low and she rolls so deeply as to force the necessity of bat- tening down the hatches even jn moderate gales.” “In moderate weather I have been com- pelled to walk about the cabin on gratings and in rough weather in India rubber Meeting of Executive Committee of the Democratic Clubs. SESSIONS OPEN TODAY AY THE EBBITT Mr. Benton McMillin Presides in Chairman Wilson's Absence. AN EFFECTIVE ORGANIZATION The executive committee of the National Association of Democratic Clubs, which was organized on July 4, 1888, for the purpose of aiding in the promotion of party suc- cess, met at the Ebbitt at noon today. The sessions will be private. Chairman Wm. L. Wilson of the executive committee left at 11 o'clock today on a trip to the City of Mexico ‘or rest and recreation afcer his arduous labors in connection with the preparation and passage of the tariff bill, and Benton McMillin of Tennessee pre- sided. Chauncey F. Black of Pennsylvania, president of the association, and Lawrence Gardner of Washington, D. C., secretary, were in attendance. * The members of the committee present were R.G. Monroe of N.Y.,Thomas F.Lane of New Jersey, as proxy for George H. Lam- bert; H. Wells Rusk of Maryland, W. D. Bynum of Indiana, as proxy for A. T. Ankeny of Minnesota; Benton McMillin of Tennesgee, C. C. Richards of Utah, L. H. Martin of Iowa, as successor to N. W. Mc- | Ivor; John C. Black of Illinois, Henry Wat- terson of Kentucky, E. Chambers Smith, as | proxy for J. 8. Carr of North Carolina; W. A, Clarke of Montana, Jefferson M. Levy of Virginia, and M. D. Harter of Ohio. James Fenton of Washington is en route, but not yet arrived. The vacancy occa- sioned by the appointment of Patrick A. Collins of Massachusetts as consul to Lon- dea has not been filled. Don M. Dickinson of Michigan was expected to be present, but had not arrived in time for the opening ses- sion. The first meeting of the committee was called to order by Acting Chairman McMiI- lin, and the session was devoted to hearing reports from the various state associations. The resignation of Governor Flower as treasurer of the national committee was laid before the committee. members present spoke encouragin: ly of the political outlook in their states, and the principal work of the committee will be to tender the association of demo- cratic clubs to the congressional campaign committee as a working auxiliary in the next contest. History of the Association. In December, 1886, a committee was ap- pointed by the Young Men’s Democratic Club of the city of New York to submit a plan for promoting the formation and af- filiation of simiiar clubs throughout the country. Subsequently the Young Men’s Democratic Club of the city of Brooklyn, the Young Men’s Democratic Club of Mass- achusetts and the Juneau Club of Milwau- kee joined with the New York club in an invitation to have the various democratic clubs confer. In response to this invita- tion a conference was held at the Hoffman House, New York, April 21, 1888, at which delegates from twenty-one clubs were pres- ent. At this conference a temporary or- ganization was effected and a general com- mittee appointed to call a convention of democratic clubs. A con of this kind was held at Baltimore on July 4, 1888, at which 500 clubs were ited by about 2,400 delegates. A constitution was adopted and a permanent organization formed under the name of the National Association of Democratic Clubs, Business and Speeches. The resignation of Roswell P. Flower as treasurer was read and accepted and Chas. J. Canda of New York was elected to fill the vacancy. A dispatch was received from John R. Malloney, president of the Andrew Jackson Association cf Detroit, Mich., stating that that organization de- sires enrollment in the national associa- tion. The Jackson Association has a mem- bership of over 800, A dispatch asking for enrollment was received from the democratic club of Free- port, Il. The report of Secretary Gardner was read. The first speaker was Senator Wade Hampton and his topic was plans for or- ganization in the south. He urged fra- ternity among the democratic clubs and the creation of new ones in exposed locall- ties. Gov. Black spoke of club organiza- tion in general and of the great advan- tages. Mr. E. Chandler Smith of North Caro- lina addressed the committee on the way things looked in the state of tar, and Mr. Richardson of Utah told about political matters in that territory, and incidentally said something about statehood and silver. Col. Clark of Montana also spoke and it is sald showed a desire to say silvery things. Mr. William 8. McKeen of New Jersey also spoke. Mr. Gardner's Views. In speaking with a Star man, Mr. Law- rence Gardner, secretary of the association, said: ‘We intend to push the work of or- ganization at once. The present system of club organization has been especially satis- factory, particularly in the south. It has proved a cheap and effective means of dis- tributing Hterature. The committee has in preparation a book containing an account of the actions of both branches of Congress at the extra session and at the present one on the silver and tariff questions. The com- mittee has received reports from the vari- ous state organizations, setting forth that if the Senate deal promptly with the tariff bill such action will have a beneficial effect on the industrial interests of the country.” SS THE NEW SILVER BILL. Fall Text of the Measure Over Which the House is Now Fighting. The full text of the silver bill over which the present fight in the House is being made is as follows: That the Secretary of the Treasury is hereby authorized and required to transfer to the several mints of the United States and caused to be coined into legal tender standard silver dollars, and into such minor silver coins as he may deem ad- visable, at least two millions of ounces per | month of the silver bullion purchased under | the provisions of the act entitled “An act | directing the purchase of silver bullion and the issue of treasury notes thereon and for other purposes,” approved July 14, 1860, and a sum sufficient to carry into effect the provisions of this act is hereby appropriated out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated. Second. That after the passage of ‘this | act the Secretary of the Treasury is direct- ed that whenever the treasury coin notes issued in accordance with the provisions of the said act of July fourteenth, eighteen hundred and ninety, or whenever the silver | certificates issued by virtue of any act of | Congress authorizing the issue of such cer- | titficates on the deposit of silver dollars, are | presented for redemption, to redeem such notes and certificates in either gold or sii- ver: Provided, That in case the amount of coined gold in the treasury exceeds the amount of the coined silver, the Secretary jof the Treasury shall redeem such notes and certificates in gold coin, but in case the silver coin in the treasury exceeds the | amount of gold coin, such notes and certi- | ficates shall be redeemed in silver coin. | Third. That the Secretary of the Treasury | is authorized and directed to issue treasury coin notes in amount equal to the gain or seigniorage of the silver bullion purchased | under the provision of said act of July 14, | 1890: Provided, That hereafter no treasury | notes of less denomination than $5 shall be | issued. Fourth. That upon the deposit in the treasury of any gold or silver coin the Bec- retary of the Treasury shall issue treasury coin notes to the nominal amount of such deposit, and all laws authorizing the tssue of gold and silver certificates are hereby re- pealed, and all laws in conflict herewith are hereby repealed. Tf It Comes to a Vote it Will Pass the | House. Suggestions of a Compromise to Avoid a Fight in the Democratic Party. Very little doubt is entertained in any quarter that if the Bland coinage bill comes to @ vote it will pass the House. Mr. Bland himself is confident of this, and the oppo- nents to the proposition are alarmed. Yet with proper management the opposition ought to be able to win the fight. Mr. Bland has not the hearty support of all the etlver men, and even of all the radical sil- ver men, in his effort to bring the matter before the House at this time. Those men who have a record as silver advocates will probably be compelled to vote with Mr. Bland. They have, however, been making an earnest effort to reach some sort of a compromise proposition which will not cause a fight in the party. A number of Mr. Bland’s associates are urging upon him that this bill will cause trouble in the party, and will finally accomplish nothing, be- cause Mr. Cleveland will veto it if it passes in its present form. A Compromise Suggestion. It is suggested, therefore, and it is un- derstood that the suggestion has the ap- proval of Mr. Carlisle, that the first sec- tion of the bill be passed as a separate Proposition, making the coinage of the seigniorage as rapidly as possible compul- sory, and leaving it discretionary with the Secretary to anticipate all or any part of the coinage by the issue of certificates to meet current expenses of the government. This could be accomplished by taking the first section separately and changing the words Il issue at once” to “may issue " leaving the coinage still compul- cory. It has been further suggested to Mr. Bland - some of the strongest silver men in the House that the other sections, or the part which provides for the coinage of all the bullion and the retirement of the coin certificates, should be considered as a sep- arate measure, . Ground of Objection. The strong objections of the administra- tion to the bill grows out of this provision, the import of which ts that the coin certifi- cates shall be redeemed in silver, whereas now it is discretionary with the Secretary to redeem in either silver or gold, and all such certificates are actually redeemed in gold when presented. The eastern demo- crats are determined to fight the whole bill by every means in their power, and it is regarded as doubtful whether or not a quorum can be secured today. TO COMPEL ATTENDANCE. The Sergeant-at-Arms Called on to Arrest Members if Necessary. For the second time this session the sergeant-at-arms of the House has been called upon to arrest members and enforce their attendance upon the sessions of the House. The resolution adopted yesterday afternoon provided for this in order to se- cure a quorum to proceed with the consid- hang Mead the silver bill. The sergeant-at- arms night sent twenty-six warrant telegrams to absent members notifying them that a warrant had been issued for thefr arrest and asking if they would ac- cept the telegram as service. This was done in order to avoid the necessity of sending special messengers for them. The replies have been favorable and nearly all of the absentees are now on the way to Washing- ton. The members in the city who were not present yesterday were also notified of the order and their presence required for today. FIRING ON THE AQUIDABAN. Capt. Picking’s Official Report of the Incident. In his official report to the Navy Depart- ment of the operations at Rio Capt. H. F. Picking, under date of January 12, says among other things: “At 5 a.m. the Aquidaban was sighted coming in, not flying the admiral’s flag. She was fired at by all the forts, and stood toward and anchored near the Tamandare, returning the fire, but only occasionally, with her large guns, It was a remarkable ~ to see this vessel coming in before all the forts and battertes and seemingly without any injury at all. I hear from a good source that she was struck twice, but without material mjury. Two men were slightly wounded—sufficiently so to require their being sent to the hospital.” As near as can be counted the shots fired at the Aquidaban aggregated 100, in pers to which the Aquidaban fired 25 Imes. ——_+o+_____ THIS COUNTRY THE MARKET For the Agricultural Products of British Hond: » It in Anserted. The bureau of the American republics made announgement recently that the peo- ple of British Honduras had petitioned the home government for the adoption of the United States gold dollar as a standard of value in the substitution of gold for stiver currency which has been arranged for. An article in a recent number of the Colonial Guardian of Belize gives the reasons for this action. “United States currency,” says the Guardian, quoting an address of the peo- ple’s committee, “is the natural currency for this colony and that best suited to our local position and trade requirements. The governor of British Honduras,” adds the Guardian, “has frequently declared that this colony has in the future to trust chiefly to its agricultural products, and, as our mar- ket for these products is solely and ex- clusively with the United States, its cur- rency is best adapted to the encouragement of these industries and to the future de- velopment of the colony.” ————_- e+ ______ PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATIONS. Three Customs Offict: and Several Postmasters Named. The President today sent the following nominations to the Senate: Postmasters— J. B. Nichols, Jonegboro, Ark.; Berzelius L. Strother, Abilene, Kan.; Miles W. Blain, Osage City, Kan.; Harrison C. Rollin: Yates Center, Kan.; Granville L. Hudkin: Cawker City, Kan.; John M. Barnes, Lyn- don, Kan.; Wm. A. Eaton, Kingman, Kan.; Ella M. Lawrenson, Junction City, .Kan.; 8. A. D. Cox, Humboldt, Kan.; Wm, Walk- er, jr., Goodland, Kan.; Frank W. Frye, Parsons, Kan.; Sarah M. Arnold, Nickerson, Kan.; Joseph E. Clauch, Somerset, Ky.; Charles E. Cook, Uxbridge, Mass.; Henry 8. Lyons, North Adams, Ma: John G. Parkhurst, Coldwater, Mich.; John H. Har- ley, Lincoln, Neb.; A. W. Pratt, Aberdeen, 8. D.; John Stolte, Chamberlain, 8. D.; A: W. Buchanan, Bryan, Tex. Treasury—Almarin T. Hale of Connecti- cut, to be collector of customs, district of New London, Conn.; John C. Fisher of California, to be collector of customs, dis- trict of San Diego, Cal.; Wm. G. Sweeney of Iowa, to be surveyor of customs, port of Dubuque, Iowa. —_—_—__.+__. Going to Old Point. A party of treasury officials expect to leave Washington Saturday evening next for Old Point Comfort, Va. The officials include Secretary Carlisle, Assistant Sec- retary Hamlin and Chief Clerk Logan Car- isle. The trip is for rest and recreation and the present expectation is that those going will be absent three or four days. Secretary Gresham at first contemplated ac- companying the party, but abandoned the idea, POLITICAL LEADERS|"E SLAND COINAGE BILL|DFATH THEIR FATE Virginians Enraged Against White and Robinson. ONLY ONE VERDICE ACCEPTABLE Any Other Will Be Disregarded by Lynchers. COURT GUARDED BY MILITIA Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. MANASSAS, Va., Feb. 8—The unusual spectacle was presentedy in the county court of Prince William county at this place this morning of two miserable wretch- es being tried for their lives unde> the virtual protection of an armed company of the state militia. More than that, the prisoners were brought here from Alex- andria on the morning train under the same military protection. The spectacle was one not at all pleasing to the citizens of the couaty, judging from expressions heard nere last night and to- day, yet expressions were not infrequently heard which confirmed the wisdom of Gov. O’Ferrall in directing une Alexandria Light Infantry to escort the prisoners from the Alexandria jail, where tiey were taken for safe keeping, w this place for trial this morning. It was believed here yesterday that the prisoners, two young colored men, Jig Rob- irson and Ben White, would be brought here last evening, and when the train reached here at 6:10 o'clock a great crowd of determined-looking men surrounded it. Their purpose was plainly evident, but the men were not on the train, and the disap- pointment of the crowd was very marked. It soon became known that the prisoners would not be brought up until this morn- ing, and that they would be brought up under a strong military escort, Sheriff Leachman having requested such an escort of the governor because of his belief that the men would be lynched unless they were so protected, All night long the action of the sheriff was discussed about town, and it was sub- sequently generally determined that so far as the people of the immediate vicinity were concerned no attempt at violence would be attempted should the verdict of the jury in- flict the death penalty. But it gvas inti- mated that the guilt of the prisoners was so plainly evident that any other verdict would be followed by violence, and no doubt was left as to an intention to see that the prisoners were hung, either at public ex- pense or otherwise. . Arrival of the Prisoners. During the early hours of the morning Many strangers came into town from the surrounding country and when the train from Alexandria reached here at 9:25 a greater crowd of men than that of last evening gathered about the cars. The train was a long one, and in the last car were sixty-five men of the Alexandria Light. Infantry, under command of Capt. George A. Mushbach, and sheriff J. P. Leachman ef this county with the two prisoners se- curely handcuffed together. The crowd about the car numbered two or three hun- dred, but not the slightest attempt at vio- lence was made, the throng pleasantly guying the soldiers. The latter took it all with good grace, but they could afford to do so, for Capt. Mushbach grimly informed The Star rep- resentative that each man carried a rifle loaded with ball and in their cartridge boxes were twenty rounds of ammunition. Capt. Mushbach also explained that he had received instructions from the governor to fully protect the prisoners and the gover- nor’s instructions would be obeyed at all hazards. The car carrying the militia was cut lcose from the train, and then the soldiers, with bayonets fixed, filed out and formed company front. A moment later the two prisoners, trembling with fear, were led out by Sheriff Leachman. They were re- ceived by the crowd in perfect silence, the throng merely pressing forward out of cu- riosity. The line of march for the jail was at once formed, and, followed by an ever-in- creasing crowd of men and boys, the men were hurried to the jail adjoining the court house at about a quarter of a mile distant. The march to the jail was without incident and the men were seen locked up within it. Then the crowd adjourned to the court house to witness the trial of the men. Beginning the Trial. The trial was begun at once before Judge Wm. E. Lipscomb, Jim Robinson first be- ing tried. The trembling wretch sat be- side his counsel, assigned by the court, Messrs. R. E. Thornton and A. W. Sinclair, while sixteen men of the Alexandria Light Infantry, with loaded guns, stood between him and a great crowd of angry and de- termined men, which filled the court room back of the rail facing the judge. A jury was quickly obtained, and Commonwealth's Attorney J. B. Thornton in making the opening address to the jury stated that the men were charged with criminally assault- ing two white women, the Widow Hefflin and Mrs. Elliott, at their home, about two miles south of Manassas, on the night of the 13th of last month. The womcn had come to this county from Fauquier a few weeks previous to being assauited, Mrs. Eliott being a very attractive young woman of about twenty, Mrs. Hefflia being about forty-five years of age. The assailants of the women are each about twenty years of age and were born in this vicinity. Ben White was cften taken for a white man, so light-colored is he. He had been a faithful waiter at the Canron Hotel here and bore a good repu- tation, having a wife and child. Jim B. Robinson lived with his mother here, is unmarried and bears anything but a yood reputation. Story of the Crime. About midnight of the 13th of last month the two men called at the house of the as- saulted women, the male members of the family being absent, and knocked for ad- mission. The women inquired who they were and what was wanted. Robinson replied that they wished to en- ter, and said to the frightened women that he would break the door in unless they opened it. The women at length opened the door, and White entered first. He toid the women to put out the lamp they had lighted. The women had never seen White before, and supposed he was bent on rob- bery. They told him they had nothing, when Robinson came in, and, with an oath, he said to the women: “You know what we want.” The young devils left after accomplishing their purpose, and as soon as they had gone the terrified women ran half-clad to the house of a neighbor and told their story. Not knowing White they explained they had been assaulted by Jim Robinson who had worked for them, and a white man unknown to them. No arrests were made until last Wednesday, when the women having recognized Ben White in- formed the officers. White confessed to having participated in the crime, explaining that he had been led into it by Robinson. Robinson, on the other hand, stoutly denied everything, claiming that it was a case of mistaken identity. The men were committed to jail here for the action of the grand jury the day of their arrest. There they remained until last Saturday night, when they were taken to Alexandria for safe keeping, the county officials fearing that they would either escape or be lynched. Monday Were indicted and their trial set tor tomer, ‘The Prisoner's Defense. Counsel for Robirson in their opening address to the jury stated that they would endeavor to show that the prisoners went to the house through a previous arrange- ment with the women and remained with them with their consent. ‘These remarks of the defendant's counsel were heard with undisguised murmurs of A TRANSFER STATION Causes Quite a Lively Debate in the Senate. MR. HALES RESOLUTION OF INQUIRY The Encroachments of Railroads Commented on by Several. plainly indicated the feeling of the crowd, showing that only the presence of ‘he militiamen restrained them from a more violent demonstration. Mrs. Hefflin’s Story. Mrs. Elizabeth Hefflin was the first wit- ness called and she told the story of the assault on her and ‘her sister-in-law, Mrs. Elliott, that either she or Mrs. Elliott ever gave Robinson or White the slightest encourage- ment. White, Mrs. Hefflin said, drew a pistol on them and threatened to shoot them un- less they submitted. Mrs. Elliott corroborated her sister-in- law in every material particular. The searching COMMISSIONERS DEFENDED New York at the earliest moment possible. Corroborative Testimony. “Mr. Mayhew, the nearest neighbor of the ‘women, stated that they reached his house about 1:30 the next morning, when they told the story of the assault. The town sergeant and other officers tes- tified as to the reputation of Robinson as a vigorous athlete and said that he at first denied knowing anything of the affair, but subsequently admitted that he was present. E Hp § ei iti corclude i Figs d it was said that an attempt to take the prisoners on their way back to Alexan ‘was more than likely. The militia will remain until after the conclusion of both trials and will then escort the men back to Alexandria, where it is the intention to return them for safe keeping. the —_ THE RONCADOR REEF. i i ii i A Combination of Dangers Threaten Ships That Approach It. NEW YORK, Feb. 8.—Mr. D. McNeely Stauffer of “The Engineering News,” who was on board the Aguan with ex-Senator| ,, Warrer Miller and the party which, in 1891, left New York on a tour of inspection of the Nicaragua canal, gave the Associated Press the following description of Roncador Eg HY A : ie 38 at Pai 3* i WHEELING’S AMBITION. “Sports” of That City After the Cor- bett-Jackson Fight. WHEELING, W. Va., Feb. 8.—Pittsburg and Wheeling parties are determined to se- cure the Corbett-Jackson fight, if possible, for this city, and a movement is taking a business-like shape. No definite steps will be taken until those interested are assured that no such business is possible as that which preceded the Corbett-Mitchell bout at Jacksonville. To this end the best crimi- nal lawyers have been requested to give an opinion as to the legality of a glove contest in West Virginia. If the matter is gone into it will be by well-known business men. There is plenty of money in sight for the cumiabas a bate site for an am- phithea’ at the disposal of the pro- prietors. should be separated, and Mr. Voorhees agreed to this, saying: “We are running along here without reference to law, so far as the street railroads of this city are con- cerned. The F street road has been law ever since the first of J: shown any disposition to statutes requiring them motive 4 roads are not with the privileges must take more. “They ignoring the and & E —— WOULD FILL COLUMNS, The Story of t jufferings and Wan- dering of Marion Kelsey. COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa., Feb. 8—Mar- fon Kelsey, a prosperous farmer near this city, wandered away from hoine about a month ago while suffering from temporary aberration of mind. Telegrams were sent all over the country, but without success. He returned last even- ing in 8 sad plight and relates a pitlable tale of his wanderings. He has been over & great portion of the west, sometimes for days without anything to eat. He footed it most of the way in his wanderings. When he came to his he - gat oe etn senses he found him. He walked and “beat” his way on trains back home. It is a strange case, as the man js well-to-do, had no trouble in his |0f taking the car at that particular place family, and his disappearance from here | and have suffered from having to stand in caused a sensation. The story of his suffer- the rain or snow and have hoped that some- 4 ¥ Depends on How You Look at “Whether this is an outrage or gested Senator Platt, “depends the peculiar characteristics of the who looks at it. I have been in ‘s i if indir the ings and privations would fill columns. ——~—. DR. PYNCHON’S AIRSHIP. It Would Cost $1,000 to Cross the Ocean. CHICAGO, Feb. 8—Dr. Edwin Pynchon last night told the Western Society of En- ginecrs about the airship which he pro- poses to build, which will be Propelled by the explosion of dynamite cartridges and upheld by the system of aerial planes. The cartridge will be discharged under a plate, pew the elasticity of the air will act in pushing forward the ship. The prin: is the same as that of the explosion ot apne mite on fixed bodies. The doctor asserted that it would cost $1.20 a minute to move his ship, and, at the rate of 200 miles an hour, it would make the expense of a pas- Sage over the ocean about $1,000, and the vessel would carry twenty-five passengers, thus providing cheaper transportation than that of the steamers. a PLEASED WITH THE KAISER. thing would be done to relieve passengers. I have felt very grateful to the missioners and the railroad company causing this convenience to be erected. Probably my aesthetic notions are not uite up to those of the Maine, but I would si it that if it is a mere matter of t. ft would be easy to remedy the fault by changing say to a delicate pink. It is a fashion in Congress to criticise companies. Some years ago we criticised we worked ourselves up to passing the law which pay : cable system being adopted. m: preter the old-fashioned horse rail to ca- ble. We heard for several years that we could not have overhead trolleys, as they would kill so many people. We adopted the cable system instead and have been killing twice as many ever since. a i a3 seems ptt that, in y- x LY their igh speed, the company put into its gongs @ peculiar kind of metal, so that they make noise enough to frighten a man until he cannot get off of the track when it rings. We had better go a little slow about these things, and I object to the present consider- ation of the resolution.” Will Watch These Corporations, “There is nothing pressing about this resolution,” said Senator Hale, “f notice that whenever anyone calls attention to infractions of the law by the railroad com- panies in this city there ts someone very eager to show that they are far better than they think. As long as I am a member of this body I shall take the liberty of watching these lo- cal corporations and to calling the attention of the Senate to their violations of law. If the authority of Congress has been given for the erection of this shed the blame lies with us. eW are often at fault in this way. eW let things in without much care be- cause we do not want to be order by the importunities of le. Senator White California said that Comment at St. Petersburg on His Re- cent Remarks. ST. PETERSBURG, Feb. 8—The Novoji Vremya and other newspapers comment upon Emperor William’s speech at the re- cent parliamentary banquet at Berlin and appear to be greatly pleased with it. The speech appears also to have given great sat- isfaction in St. Petersburg generally. The Novoji Vremya says that the forcible utterance of the emperor did great service to the economic welfare of Germany and ex- presses the opinion that it was also the cause of maintaining the peace of Europe, which, according to the newspaper men- tioned, is sorely in need of quietude in order to pursue the task of developing its pros- perity.